While its beautiful blue waters may entice many visitors from near and far, Navajo State Park strives to offer a little of everything for those with varied interests. One of those ways to enjoy the park is to come down, up or over for a day of picnicking, walking or learning.

Scheduled programs for the weekend start off Saturday afternoon, July 16, at 4:30 p.m. with Kids’ Corner: Adapting to Nature. The park naturalist will take children aged four and older on a mystery hike along the Rosa and Nature Trails to explore how various plants adapt to their surroundings. Perhaps a few other discoveries will be made, as well. Meet at the Visitor Center for this 45-minute easy walk, and bring water. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult.

Then, at 7:30 p.m., the park naturalist will present “Those Carnivorous Canids.” What makes the coyote, fox and wolf different from each other? What makes them similar? And what makes each species special to its natural environment or to our own backyards? Come to the park amphitheatre to find out, or come to the Visitor Center Conference Room if it rains.

If a little walking or hiking is more your speed, Navajo will now offer a new service of scheduling your own personal guided hike with the park naturalist. With a choice of seven trails, the park naturalist will be happy to tailor a guided experience to your special interests and activity level. This service will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon through Labor Day. Twenty-four hour advance notice is required. Naturalist-led hikes on other days of the week can be scheduled at your convenience, as well, with more advanced notice.

All events in the park are free with a Colorado State Parks pass. Call 883-2208 for more information or log on to the park’s website at www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Navajo.

Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins, yurts and tipis.?

For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.